Board of Trade may meet on Oct 11 to review exports

October 05, 2011 14:04 IST

The high-level Board of Trade chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma is expected to meet next week to review India's export performance in the wake of uncertain economic conditions in Western markets.

A meeting of the Board of Trade, an advisory body to the Commerce Ministry, is likely to be held on October 11, a ministry official said.

The BoT, which has representation from business chambers and trade bodies like the Engineering Export Promotion Council and Federation of Indian Export Organisations, may discuss the impact of rupee fluctuation, rising interest rates and uncertain economic conditions in Western markets on the country's exports.

Exports to the US and Europe account for about 35 per cent of the country's total overseas shipments.

The meeting

is considered important as it provides a platform for direct interaction between the government and industry.

At its last meeting in November, 2010, the BoT had formed a group of top bankers and industrialists, including Ashok Leyland managing director R Seshasayee and Hero Group chief Pawan Munjal, to advise it on ramping up India's export competitiveness and boosting overseas shipments.